IB Diploma: University Admission in the United Kingdom
Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.
The IB Diploma is one of the qualifications UK universities know best. There is no recognition step and no conversion formula: each university states an IB requirement for each course, usually as a total score plus grades in your three Higher Level subjects, and makes you a conditional offer based on your predicted grades. The application itself, through UCAS, is covered in how to get into a university in the UK.
How IB offers are written
A typical IB offer looks like "38 points, with 6, 6, 6 at Higher Level, including 6 in Mathematics". It has three parts:
- a total score out of the Diploma maximum of 45;
- grades in the three Higher Level subjects, written like "766";
- named subjects at a set level, such as HL Mathematics or HL Chemistry. Sometimes a grade in a Standard Level subject is also set.
Read the subject rules before you choose your Diploma subjects. For mathematics, some courses accept only Analysis and Approaches at HL; Cambridge, for example, asks for it for Economics.
UCAS Tariff points
Some universities state requirements in UCAS Tariff points instead of grades. UCAS does not give the Diploma a single value; it scores each part. From the 2027 Tariff tables:
| Grade | Higher Level | Standard Level |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 56 | 28 |
| 6 | 48 | 24 |
| 5 | 40 | 20 |
| 4 | 32 | 16 |
| 3 | 24 | 12 |
The Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge each score 12 points for grade A, 10 for B, 8 for C, 6 for D and 4 for E. For comparison, an A* at A level is also worth 56. A university that uses the Tariff may still exclude some qualifications, so check the course page.
Typical offers at selective universities (2027 entry)
| University and course | IB requirement |
|---|---|
| Cambridge, Economics | 41–42 points, 776 at HL; HL Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) |
| Cambridge, Medicine | 41–42 points, 776 at HL; Chemistry plus one or two other sciences or mathematics, depending on the College |
| LSE, BSc Economics | 39 points, 766 at HL with 7 in Mathematics; contextual offer 38 |
| St Andrews, range across courses | 36 (HL 6, 5, 5) to 38 (HL 6, 6, 6 plus SL 6, 6, 6) |
These are minimum offers. Cambridge says some Colleges usually ask for more, and most of its IB entrants in Economics and Medicine scored at least 44. LSE also requires the TMUA test for Economics. Oxford publishes its IB requirements on each course page; check them there, as we could not open them when writing this guide.
Medicine
For medicine the UCAS deadline is 15 October 2026 for 2027 entry. Expect an admissions test (Cambridge uses the UCAT), an interview and high HL grades in Chemistry and at least one other science or mathematics. Cambridge also requires you to be 18 by 1 November of your first year. See studying medicine in English for how the UK compares with the rest of Europe.
Scotland: a possible second-year entry
Scottish honours degrees take four years, and some Scottish universities let strong IB students start in year two. St Andrews, for example, offers direct second-year entry to Computer Science for 39 points with 6, 6, 6 at HL, including HL 6 in Mathematics, so the degree takes three years. See studying in Scotland.
English
Your IB English grade may be enough proof of English for the university: Edinburgh, for example, asks for at least grade 5 in Standard Level English unless a course sets more. Cambridge lists IELTS Academic 7.5 as its usual minimum when a test is needed. The Student visa needs English at level B2; see IELTS and TOEFL.
Predicted grades, results and confirmation
- Your school sends predicted grades with your UCAS reference. They decide whether you get an offer, so ask your IB coordinator early how predictions are set.
- Accept one offer as firm and, if you wish, a second as insurance.
- May results come out in early July. Ask your IB coordinator to release them to UCAS, so that the universities whose offers you accepted receive them.
- If you meet the conditions, your place is confirmed. If you need a Student visa, the university then issues your CAS. See student visa for the UK.
Fees
The IB does not change your fee status. Students without home status pay the international fee: at LSE, £41,900 a year for students starting in 2027/28, against €25,533 for a typical public course in our catalogue. See how much it costs to study in the UK.
Where to look next
- How to get into a university in the UK
- Studying in Scotland
- Scholarships and part-time work in the UK
- Document recognition for the UK
- All 17,679 programmes in the UK
Official sources
- UCAS: Tariff points and the 2027 Tariff tables
- University of Cambridge: Economics, entry requirements
- LSE: BSc Economics, entry requirements
- University of St Andrews: entry requirements
- University of Edinburgh: International Baccalaureate
Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.